Tuesday, December 5, 2017

I can't believe it is December 2017! I've been and innkeeper for 24 years! And have decorated for Christmas at the Inn 24 times! It really has flown by. This house truly looks great decorated for the season. When you have 8000 plus square feet you can really do a lot of decorating! We begin the day after Thanksgiving with a trip to buy our live 12 foot tree. Then we spend a week getting every nook and cranny of the inn interior and exterior full of decorations. One of my guests estimated that the tree alone had 1000 ornaments on it! I joke to the staff that I don't know when to stop! There is always a spot for one more ornament.

The dining room theme is candy. One year we hit upon the icicle look and loved it. We get the rock candy sticks at a fabulous candy store and museum called Schimphs. It is located in Jeffersonville Indiana...right across the river. You can even park on the Louisville side and walk across the pedestrian Big Four Bridge. A little exercise before indulging in all the many candy options at Schimphs. They have the rock candy sticks in many colors and flavors.

The Tree in the Parlor is very traditional with ornaments collected over the years. I love to receive and to give ornaments to friends and family. Every year we add more and somehow find room on the tree. The ceiling height is 14 feet so the room can accommodate a large tree. One year it touched the ceiling! That sure made it hard to decorate the top! Now we try to keep it in the 12 foot range.

Thursday, October 26, 2017

There are many wonderful family events this time of the year. I am listing some of my favorite ones happening this week and on into November.

BOOS AND BREWS

For the 21 and older there is a tour and Halloween themed event at COOPER AND KINGS DISTILLERY Friday October 27. There will be games, a costume contest along with the tour. The cost is $45 per person and that includes two drink tickets and heavy hors d'oeuvres. It starts at 6:00pm at the distillery at 1121 East Washington Street.

BOO DELL AT YEW DELL

This spectacular garden is hosting an event Saturday October 28 from 11:00 am to 3:00pm at 6220 Old La Grange Road in Crestwood. The cost is $7 and includes trick or treating, hayrides, straw maze, scavenger hunt and a Mr. Magic performance at 2:00pm. More information www.yewdellgardens.org

JACK O'LANTERN SPECTACULAR

More than 5000 illuminated jack 0'lanterns light the trail at Iroquois Park.

The setting is perfect for this event. The theme for this year is the alphabet and along the trail music accompanies each area.

7:15 pm to 11:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. This event runs through November 5 so there is more time to fit it in your schedule.

Thursday, October 12, 2017

The first Bowman Field Aviation and Heritage Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday October 14 and 15. The event will showcase rare vintage aircraft and warplanes. And visitors can take airplane rides and tour the historic airport. Vintage cars will be on display too and there is even a four mile run around the airport at 8:30 am on Saturday.

Have fun touring and taking in the airport and the historic art deco terminal building which was built in 1929 and designed by local architect William Arrasmith.
Enjoy free music. Food trucks and craft beer will be available. The Festival will be held around the historic terminal building and the 1929 Curtis Flying Service Hangar.Gates open at 9:00am and close at 5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday hours are 9:00am to 4:00pm.

Sunday, September 17, 2017

No campfire needed to have a s'more here at the Inn at Woodhaven.
We have our little s'more maker and all the fixins ready for you.
Fall is perfect for this treat.
So have dinner at any of the many great restaurants in town and then come back to the inn for dessert!

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Porches extend the living space of a house. They are great for relaxing after work or touring of the city. Settle in with a book and beverage with friends or pick a quiet spot to read. Take a cookie and soft drink or tea from our complimentary offerings out with you and watch the fireflies float up at dusk. The front porch offers great viewing of sunsets and the back is there for sunrise. Any spot you choose will have views of our gardens.

The inn has many options for you. Try the front porch of the Main House, the back porch of the Main House and Rose Cottage...or the balcony of the Master Suite and patio of the Carriage House.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

One of the best ways to see Louisville is to cruise down the river on the Belle of Louisville.
The Belle is the oldest steamboat in the US. Still powered by steam and retaining its original paddle wheels it is truly a local treasure.
Tours take guests down the river and past the city and then to areas of beautiful homes and parks along the river. Dinner cruises offer a buffet and music and a full service bar. The leisurely pace of river travel allows for time to relax and enjoy the food and river views. And since it is summer in Kentucky - it is good to know that the Belle does have air-conditioning!
The Belle is also one of the best spots in Louisville to watch the Fourth of July Fireworks. What a front row seat!
For more information and tickets go to www.belleoflouisville.org

Saturday, May 13, 2017

This is the 22nd year for this Louisville favorite held on Mothers Day weekend each year.
A wide assortment of flowers and herbs and garden tools and decorations are available from vendors. The 1790 main house and outbuildings will be open for tours.

Held from 10:00 am to 5 pm on May 13 and 14 atLocust Grove at 561 Blankenbaker Lane.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for ages 6 to 12.
Food concessions will be open and picnic areas on the beautiful grounds are open.

KILGORE HOUSE AND GARDEN TOUR
This is a self guided tour of 5 gardens and two houses. Tour locations are 322 Zorn Avenue, 1918 Charbin Place, 6100 Longview Lane, 5804 Brittany Woods Circle, and 824 Green Willow Way, Tickets may be purchased the day of the event at any of the tour locations. Held 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on May 20 and 21Ticket $30 www.kilgoregardentour.orgNORTON COMMONS SPRING ART FESTIVAL AND HOME SHOWCASEArts and crafts, live music, food and beer garden and new home tours.The art festival will be held at the town center at 10712 Meeting Street and May 20 and 21 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pmFestival and home tours are free.CHURCHILL DOWNSChurchill racing meet is still going on with day and night racing. Also the Derby Museum has a new exhibit "Man of War: the Legacy" There are many tours available including a Greenhouse and Garden Van and Walking Tour. There is even a Horses and Haunts Tour!For more information on the tours available: www.kentuckyderbymuseum.org

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

April is the best month to visit to see flowers in bloom and take part in the Kentucky Derby Festival events. Spring days are perfect for walking the trails in our many parks along the river and circling the city. The Louisville Nature Center holds bird walks and plant sales this month. Or you can visit daily and just walk the trails. For more information visit their website atwww.louisvillenaturecenter.org or call 502-458-1328.

46TH ANNUAL CHEROKEE TRIANGLE ART FAIRThe Cherokee Triangle Art Fair is held in a beautiful historic neighborhood each spring. It's the perfect place to find one of a kind gifts and pieces of art. Food vendors will have a great variety of items too. This years fair dates are April 29 and 30. To see a list of the activities and hours for the fair check out their website at: www.cherokeetriangleartfair.org

KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL EVENTS

The Kentucky Derby Festival kicks off two weeks of action packed events on Saturday April 22 with the Thunder Over Louisville Fireworks. Every year the tons of fireworks increases and the event gets larger and better...in fact it is the largest fireworks display in North America. The air showbegins at 3pm and the fireworks go off at 9:30pm. You can bring your own picnic and enjoy a day on the river or partake of the great food the many vendors will have on site.

Louisville is the place to come for a fabulous hat. Local and international designers have a great selection of hats and fascinators at shops and shows the whole month. You can even make your own at Dees Crafts to match any outfit.

Even if this is not the year you attend the Derby you can experience the excitement and have fun at the events proceeding the big day. Visit the Derby Museum and take a tour of Churchill Downs in the weeks before that first Saturday in May.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

If you are not staying with us at the Inn and having a helping of our fabulous gravy and biscuits you can head over to the FIFITH ANNUAL GRAVY CUP at the Mellwood Antique Center Saturday February 25th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

More than 30 local chefs and weekend warriors will be offering their version of great biscuits and gravy.
It is a competition in three categories: traditional, nontraditional and veggie/vegan. The cost is $15 per person and the proceeds go to the Boys and Girls Haven here in Louisville. Good food and a good cause.

TASTE OF THE HIGHLANDS

Also, happening on February 28, THE TASTE OF THE HIGHLANDS will highlight great food from many of the restaurants in the highlands area including Asiatique, Highland Morning, Jack Frys, and Uptown Café. And beverages to compliment the food offerings will be on hand from Cumberland Brews, Great Flood Brewing and Makers Mark.

All this will be under one roof at the Highland Community Campus from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
The cost is $50 per person and the proceeds go to the Highlands Community Ministries.

So you could make a day of it and have brunch at the Gravy Cup and then dinner at the Taste of the Highlands...a nap or long walk might be necessary in between!

Followers

About Me

Welcome to the Inn at Woodhaven, a Gothic Revival Mansion located in Louisville, Kentucky. I have been the owner/innkeeper for over twenty one years. Explore my new blog to learn about life inside this historic home.

Inn at Woodhaven

Room at the Table Cookbook

The Bed and Breakfast Association of Kentucky has released a new cookbook, Room at the Table. This cookbook not only features gourmet recipes from member properties, but also guides readers on a scenic tour of Kentucky through its beautiful photography. A wide assortment of recipes are included such as appetizers, beverages, breads, breakfast/brunch, soups, salads, sides, entrees, and desserts. Copies are available through member inns or online bookstores. Feel free to contact Inn at Woodhaven for more information - after spending a fun-filled summer traveling throughout Kentucky for photo shoots and then coordinating the layout and publication, I'd be glad to answer any questions you might have about the process or our favorite recipes!